Municipal District of Willow Creek purchases new loader

By Rob Vogt

The Municipal District of Willow Creek will spend almost $500,000 on a new loader for its gravel operations.
At its Aug. 20 meeting, M.D. council was updated on the situation by Derrick Krizsan, the M.D.’s chief administrative officer.
He explained the municipality’s 2016 Caterpillar – CAT 950M was struck by lightning, and is currently being inspected by a Caterpillar mechanic.
It is anticipated the machine has considerable damage to its electrical system.
The M.D. has reported the incident to Rural Municipalities of Alberta Insurance Claims and insurance will cover the cost of repairs to all electronic components, sensors and tires. The insurance will also provide coverage of up to $75,000 for rental.
This unit, once repaired, will be sold at auction. The M.D. is using its older loader at this current time as a temporary fix to get by until the other loader is fixed.
It was noted the M.D. would be able to apply the rental costs to the new loader, bringing down the price based on the time the M.D. uses it as a rental.
The M.D.’s five-year capital plan indicated this loader was to be replaced in 2026.
This request would accelerate that purchase by one year.
A quote was received for $485,000 plus GST for a new machine.
Council then agreed to go ahead with purchasing the new loader for gravel operations at $485,000 plus GST.